Machine for packaging wire forms



June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 1'6 Sheets-Sheet 1Fi-G. 4

FIG; I

INVENTOR Mum/v ff? m5? AT'TQRN E Jun 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 l23/ 2242 I 227 I ATTORN Y FIG. 5

June 1952 w. F. FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 15 Sheets-Sheet 5June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER 9,547

MACHINE F QR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 4ATTORNEY June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER 7 MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMSFiled July 18, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER MACHINEFOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS l5 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 18, 1945 w GEINVENTOR MuMM/T/fvfim? ATTOR? EY June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER MACHINE FORPACKAGING WIRE FORMS 13 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 18, 1945 FIG. l9

ATTORN Y FIG. 20

June 10, 1952 w. FEYRER ,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS FIG. 22

W. F. FEYRER MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS June 10, 1952 13Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 1a, 1945 mm OE INVENTOR 4 Mil/4M f/Z YfiF/iATTO R N June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS 15Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed July 18, 1945 PM OK IQ @Hl IIIIIII INVENTOR Mu MMiffy/r0? ATTb RN E June 10, 1952 w. F. FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet l1F IG:'. 2 9

INVENTO M14 mmf/i mffi LG ATTOR Y June 10, 1952 r w, FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS I Filed July 18, 1945 13 Sheets-Sheet12 FIG. 35

' FIG. 3!

INVENTOR Mu MM fifty/mt ATTOR EY June 10, 1952 I w. F. FEYRER 2,599,547

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING WIRE FORMS Filed July 18, 1945 l5 Sheets-Sheet 13FIG. 3 7

INVENTOR 259 275 M: A A4 iff /rm FIG. 38 ATTOR EY Patented June 10, 1952William F. Feyrer, Englewood, N. J assigncr to Nathan L. Solomon,Englewood, N. J

Application. July 1.8, 1945,, Serial No. 605,680,

21 Claims. 1

This invention relates to machines for shaping,processing and packagingwire-forms. More particularly, the invention deals with machines of;this type and kind wherein wire-forms are grouped and counted at apackaging station, and a packaging element, such for'example as, a card,is" delivered to the station for arrangement of the wire-forms thereonin. predetermined arrangement, and then the packaged or mounted formsdischarged from the machine. Still more particularly, the inventiondeals with machines of the class described, wherein a single source ofpower is. employed for actuating the several. mechanisms of the machine.The novel features of the invention will be best understood from thefollowing description when taken together withv the accompanyingdrawings. in. which certain embodiments of the invention-are; disclosed,and in which the separate parts: are designated by suitable referencecharacters in eachof the views, and in which:

Fig 1 is a plan view diagrammatically illustrating the complete machineassemblage.

Fig. 2 is a side view diagrammatically illustrating themachine, as shownin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isa wiring diagram of the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end view diagrammatically showing the strippermechanism and drive arrangement, the section being taken on the line 4-4of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the outlet side of the loading mechanismtaken on the lines 5-5 of Figs. 1, 2, 7 and 29, showingdiagrammatically, the product holder platenin three different positionsin full lines, with the lever for actuating the same shown in part indot and dash lines in two positions, and in full lines in the thirdposition.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the main slide and platen of Fig.5, showing the platen in the top lifted and holder position, with partof the construction broken away andin section, the

view being taken from the opposite side or" the showing in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is an end and sectional view of the main slide and platenassembly, shown in Figs. 5 and 6, as viewed in the direction of thearrows 1-? of Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional detail, a main slide detenttaken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the hopper of the machine, with parts of theconstruction broken. away and in section.

Fig. 10 isa side and sectional view of thehopper shown inFig. 9, withparts of the construetion broken away and. in section, and illustratingthe removal; of the lowermost product or card of thestack from thehopper.

Fig. 111 is a fragmentary end view of thel op per as viewed in thedirection ofthe arrow ll|| of Fig. 10, part of the construction beingshown insection.

Fig. 12 is an end view of the hopper and platen, as viewed in thedirection of the arrow 92-42 ofgFig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the holder as shown in Fig. 15,with part of the construction broken away and'in section.

. Fig. 1% isaside, view of that part of the machine shown in Fig. 15,with part of the construction broken away. i

Fig. 15 is anend view of the structure shown in Fig. 14, part insection, the section being on the line l5l5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a partial section on the line 15-46 of Fig 18, showing theoperation of loading or mounting the products.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 16,; showing the parts ina differentposition.

Fig. 18 is an end and sectional View substantially on the line 16-48 ofFig. 14.

Fig. 19 is atop plan view of the counting and staggering mechanism ofthe machine.

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view of the part of the mechanismshown in Fig/19 on the line it. ofsaidfigure.

Fig. 21is aside view of thccounting and stag} gering mechanism shown in,Fig, 19.

Fig. 22 is an. end viewoi the counting. and staggering mechanism shownin, Figs. 1 9,and. 21.

Fig. 23 is an, elevation, and sectional detail view, on an, enlarged,scale, showing theudriving connection between the main drive and; thepackaging mechanism, and disclosing theset stop clutch employed.

Fig. 24 is a partial section on the line M s-2.4

'Of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 25-25 of'Fig.24.

Fig. 26 is an end view of a band, guiding and cam setting mechanism withpart of the construction broken away and in section.

Fig. 27 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 26, the view beingtaken on the line 21-4! of Fig. 26, with parts of the constructionbroken away and in section.

Fig. 28 is a view similar to Fig. 26, showing only a part of theconstruction and with parts in a different position.

Fig. 29 is a plan view of the product counting and staggering mechanism,the product loading and dispersing mechanism, the hopper, productejecting mechanism, and. other associated parts of the machine.

Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified form of counting,grouping and staggering mechanism.

Fig. 31 is a fragmentary end view of the counting mechanism shown inFig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a side view of the counting mechanism shown in Fig. 31.

Fig. 33 is an end view of the modified grouping mechanism shown in Fig.30.

Fig. 34 is a side view of the grouping mecha= nism shown in Fig. 33.

Fig. 35 is a fragmentary end view of the modified staggering mechanismshown in Fig. 30.

. Fig. 36 is a plan view substantially of the framework of the groupingand mounting mechanism of the machine, omitting most of the works inorder to clearly illustrate the frame.

Fig. 37 is a side view of the structure as seen in Fig. 36, with partsof the construction broken away and in section; and

Fig. 38 is an end view of a part of the structure shown in Fig. 36,looking at the right-hand end of the frame.

My present invention deals with a machine which first forms and thenprocesses wire-forms, such for example as bobby-pins, these steps offorming and'processing being disclosed in the application of Jean R.Taplinger, Ser. No. 540,732, filed June 16, 1944, now Patent No.2,589,518, issued March 18, 1952, and further to the counting, groupingand staggering of the products or wire-forms preparatory to packagingthese forms or to mounting the staggered groups upon a mounting card instaggered relationship to each other, and finally to automatically ejectthe packaged or carded products from the machine.

In view of the fact that the forming and processing mechanism of themachine, from a specific standpoint is the subject of a separateapplication, this part of the machine is only diagrammaticallyillustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, except insofar as showing themodification of employing a single drive for all of the mechanisms ofthemachine. Further means is provided to pass wire-forms or otherproducts freely through what I will term the packaging and dispensingunit of the machine for discharge from the band or conveyorsubstantially in accordance with the teachings in the application hereinidentified.

Briefly stated, it may be said that the machine first produces a seriesof shaped and processed products arranged and spaced on a conveyor band,then to count and segregate predetermined quantities of said product onthe band to form groups of said products, then in counting andsegregating the groups, and further in staggering said groups one withrespect to the other, then in packaging or carding the staggered groups,and finally in ejecting the package or card from the machine.

In Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, represents an endless band or conveyor,which passes around spaced pulleys 5| and 52 arranged in the spacedrelation shown, and driven from one power source or drive, for example,an electric motor, as at 53, through an elongated drive shaft 54suitably supported and having bevelled gear drives to the pulley shafts,as at 55 and 56.

At 51 is shown the machine for producing wire forms, such for example,as bobby-pins, in accordance with the teachings in the applicationhereinbefore cited. The band he passes through the machine 51, as taughtin said application, through a tempering oven 58, guide discs 59, underthe nozzle 66 of a coating mechanism to coat the products or wire-forms,then under the nozzles 6! of a blower mechanism to remove surpluscoatings, then through a baking oven 62, and then through the packagingapparatus or unit 63. This last unit is illustrated in detail throughoutthe accompanying drawings, and is diagrammatically shown in Figs. 1 and2 of the drawing. .After passing through the unit 63, the band passesthrough a stripper mechanism 54 for the purpose of stripping or removingthe wireforms from the band when such forms are permitted to pass freelythrough the unit 63. The stripper mechanism is of the type disclosed inthe application hereinbefore referred to, and is driven from the driveshaft 53 through a takeoff on the shaft of the pulley 52, as generallyindicated by the reference character in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Thestripper mechanism simply comprisestwo spring pressed rollers designatedby the reference character 66 in Fig. 4 of the drawing driven throughbelt and pulley mechanisms, as shown in Fig. 4, to engage and strip thewire-forms from the band, should such wire forms prevail thereon.

The motor 53 is located adjacent the forming machine 51, and has atake-oif chain and sprocket construction 61 onto a shaft 68, geared tothe shaft 54 through the intermeshing bevel gears at 69. lso geared tothe shaft 58 as at 10, is a supplemental elongated drive shaft 7!, fordriving the shaft '72 of the packaging unit 63 through the intermeshinggears 13 and 14.

The sprayer and blower mechanisms are driven from the shaft 54 by gearsthrough a speed-up gear box 15 and other associated drives, as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. From the foregoing, it will appearthat the entire machine operates from the single source of power drive,and the forming machine 51 may be operated through a sliding dog-toothclutch as at 11.

Before proceeding to describe the packaging and dispensing unit, itwould be well to refer to the diagrammatic showingof the electricalwiring diagram in Fig. 3 of the drawing. In said figure, the source ofsupply is controlled by a switch 13, and i9 represents the resistance of.the oven 58; the resistance of the baking oven 62; 8! a resistance forsoftening the coating material on the band prior to scraping thematerial therefrom by scrapers diagrammatically illustrated at 82 inFig. 2 of the drawing.

In the diagram, the electric motor 53 is in circuit with the source ofsupply through the wires 53, and controlled by a switch 53". Theillustrations in full lines in Fig. 3 is an electrical diagram for theunit machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be apparent, however, thatin some instances, it will be desirable to provide independent drivesfor the sprayer and blower mechanisms, as well as the band, feed andstripper mechanism, and in such instances, separate motors, as indicatedin dotted lines at 53a and 53b will be employed, and in circuit with thesource of electric supply, more or less in accordance with the teachingsin the application hereinbefore referred to, where separate motors areemployed to actuate different mechanisms 'dflftlieemachmez Itiwillsiurthersbeiapparenttthat aseparatetdrivex may also be provided.fon'the 'paekaging mechanism; However; it is desirable that Ia definitesynohronism of operation. be. provided between the forming mechanism?and packaging mecha-nism.

(.o lmfz'ngv "dispersing and. packaging. unit This unit.-may-=' be moregenerally classified as a packaging or carding unit. This-unit?comprises armairrframe 83, note-Figs. 3'6 and 37, the frame being more-or less box shaped' in form, and" in this frame is suitably supportedthe shaft 12 'havihgits-* drive gear T4 meshing'with the pinion or: gear1:3"011 theshaft 'I'IL rotate--ons'the shaft I2, and is engaged with theshaft' through a? clutch 84 which is shown in-fdetailin Figs. 23' to'25inclusive; This clutch comprises a longitudinally sliding disc 85'and"apin 56 thereon, adapted to mesh with a pin 81 embedded in thehub of thegear'lt; When said pair of pins are adjacent each other, asshown in Fig.23,.rotationofthegear M bytlie-gear It efiect positive rotation of" thedrive shaft 12.

However; wlien said pins are disengagedrelative to-e'achother, as shownin Fig. 25, thelarge gear can no longer efiect said rotation of thedrive shaft. A plurality of springste normally urges the slide disc 85towa-rd the large gear I l, as may be appreciated, viewingFig. 23",saidsprings being partially supported in suitable sockets in the disc 85andin a hand wheelie, securedto the main shaft; Connection anddisconnection of the clutch is effected by a; plunger 9| being s'hiftedinto: the lowered: position shown in Figs. 23 and 24 by ahand operatedlever' 92- pivoted' to the frame 83 as' seen" at 93,, note Fig; 36, saidlever having a rounded end entering a slot 95 in said plunger. Supportedin connection with the frameis' a spri'ngdetent '95, note Fig. 23,adapted to enter the groove 9-! ofthe plunger'sl, in order to maintainthe latter in the lowered position shown in" Figs. 23.211101 24, and.adapted to enter the. groove 93' of the plunger to maintain. the 5'Iatterin a rai'sedposition shown in Fig; 25. When this" plunger is inth loweredposition of. Figs. and 24, springs 89 force the sliding disc85 toward the front of the carding machine and thereby'movethe pin B6fully into the pathoi the pin 81 on the large gear T4,. to effectrotation of the main shaft I2.

It will be apparent, that when the plunger is in the raised position, itis brought into alinement with thecanr surface 59" of the disc 85, thuscausing thedisc to? move to the left against the actionof the-springs-89, preventing clutchingengagement through the pins 35 and 8'!" andallowing the gear 14. torotate freely Onzthe shaft.

The actuation of. the lever 92: will. be later deiscribed:

Counting M eclianism A counting mechanism Hill; note Fig. 1, andbestseen in Figs. '19 through 22 inclusive, and 29-, includes a cam IIIIsuitably secured? to the main shaft 12, adapted to verticallyreciprocate a counter-slide 1-0-2 in a suitable channel I833 of The gear"It is free haszatlchanrrels. Ii 0?, .thezbottomzof whic'his slightlybeyond the outer face?- I [All of the;head..I'Il6;1where1- by? the:counter-finger I12: may be lookedzinrthe channel, :as by" the screw" H3,and yet. permit longitudinal movement of saiddover-tailedtslide andfinger" I I2: without? interference: by the: head. I063 The stop' fingeris provided: withyan elongatedslot M4? to permit. initial. verticalsettin thereof, note Fig.-.2l.

.Aisuitable hardened finger H5 is secured-zine suitable socket. "I I'Iiat. the lower. end; of. the counters-slide. Hi2; audit is adaptedtoengage with the. periphery of the cam I III. It will: appear from. aconsideration. of. Fig. 22, thatthei cam has thre'e active surfaces orlobes .operatingiupon the finger I: Id to raisethe sliderIiIZ; threetimes upon eaclxrevolution of. the shaftlal The gear ratio. provided:between the unit- 6 3i and" the form:- ing machine Eifiuissuch that theshaft I2: rotates once: for each; eighteen revolutions of the form.-ing. machine 57, thus causing the cam' IrilI to segregate eighteenpieces of the product on. the band fill into three groups of. six. Itwill" here be understood that other segregations and group'- ings may beprovided by appropriately control.- ling the ratio of drive and thetypes of" cams employed. That is. to say, thenumber' of" prodiucts ineach group and the number of groups may be determined.

The adjustmentof the screw IE9 is to arrange the finger H2 inthedesiredposition with respect to the products on the band, via, the points I IIof the finger II2 should raise. immediately in back of the last piece ofproduct in a group, so that. a minimum of space isprovided between saidgroup. and: the next or; lead. piece of the. product for the" succeedinggroup; This part of theunit 63 serves to: effect an initial. counting;grouping and: dispersing of the product whichis to be carded.

Considering Fig; 22, it will appear that the points I ll oi thefingerll2iare adapteditostramdie the band. to in engaging a product'or wireform, such for example as the bobby-pin II'8 illustrated in saidfigure-i111 the grouping of the products, as later described.

Staggering mechanism Preferably. the groups of products, see groups Hm,I lab and I lilo in Fig. 29, arestaggeredrel'atively" to each other andtransversely relative to the band 50, to have a better appearance on theproduct holder or card, and to have slots offset somewhat on the card tolessen the likelihood of the card creasing or breaking; To thi's end,the present invention providesa' novel staggering. apparatus including apair of slides H9 and H9 adapted to reciprocate transversely of themachine in a channel I wherein theyare retained by plates I2I, saidreciprocation being efiected by arms I22 and I22, note-Fig/22; havingsliding pivotal couplings with slides H9 and H9; as at- !22" andsuitably pivoted at I23 and I23. The slides H9 and llil' are providedwith primary heads I24 and IN respectively. The headsmove vertically inchannels I25 and I25 of the slides, and a suitablesetting is achieved byelongated slots I25 and I26 and set-screws I21 and I 21, note Fig. 22.

supplemental heads or the clove-tailed portions [3'0 and I thereof,control. the relative po'siiright. The spring I35 tioning of flangedstaggering blocks Itl and I3! with respect to the products H8 in themovement of the groups of products into staggered relationship withrespect to each other. It will be apparent that one of the groups ofproducts may be centralized in the machine, whereas the other groups maybe staggered one to the right and the other to the left. In order toeffect this operation, I provide a disc I32, note Fig. 22, having aplurality of adjustable cam lobes I33 on one side of the disc and aplurality of similar lobes I34 on the other side thereof. The lever I22carries a roller I35 arranged to operate on the cam lobes I33, and thelever I22 carries a roller I35 adapted to operate upon the cam lobesI34. When all of the cam lobes are set in an intermediateposition, theentire mechanism would function to centralize all groups of the productstransversely with respect to the band 50. However, when a cam lobe setlow engages with the roller of one lever, and the opposed lever engagesconcurrently a cam lobe set high, the products will be moved either tothe left or to the supports rollers I35 and I35 in engaging the disc I32and the cam lobes.

Considering Fig. 22, it will appear that two opposed cam lobes I33 andI34 have a common setting, whereas the other two opposed pairs have highand low settings Which provide in the cycle of operation of the machinethe staggered rela tionship of the groups of products shown at I Ilia, II8?) and I IIic in Fig. 29.

Modified counting and staggering mechanism In Figs. 30 to 35 inclusive,I have illustrated amodified and simplified form of counting, staggeringand dispersing mechanism comprising a counter mechanism, Figs. 39, 31and 32, including a counter-finger I35 reciprocated vertically relativeto a band I! by a slide I38 and a cam I39 similar to the countermechanism hereinbefore described in detail. The slide I38 is ofsufficient weight to normally drop by gravity into engagement with thecam I39 and to ride the irregular surface thereof. However, thismodilied form of counting and staggering mechanism differs from the formhereinbefore described, at least in one important respect, by providinga unitary multi-grouping mechanism including a vertically reciprocableslide I40 carrying a plurality of fingers I II, I 6! and MI settableinto divers longitudinal and vertical positions through the media ofdove-tailed blocks M2, M3 and IM respectively. The dove-tailed blocksare slidable longitudinally'in a single channel I45 and are locked inthe desired longitudinal position concurrently with locking of saidfingers in vertical position by block clamping screws I66 operating inelongated slots I41 as clearly seen in Fig. 34. By viewing Figs. 30 and34, particularly it will be appreciated that the cam lobe I48 lifts thefinger MI into a position to intercept a lead group of product and tomaintain the same in the position I49 of Fig. 30 while the bandcontinues traveling While lobe I55 through the further rotation of thecam moves the finger IGI up into position to intercept a second group ofproduct I49, and thereafter, lobe I5I lifts the lowest finger Il up intoposition to intercept a third group of product I49 while the bandcontinues to travel, whereupon slide hi9 drops down into engagement withthe lowermost lobe I52, and all three fingers are cleared with respectto the band 55a and the groups I49, I49 and I49 which they just collatedupon the band. This low lobe I52 on the cam is of sufficient length tomaintain the fingers in the clear position with respect to the banduntil the just collated three sets are entirely clear of the threefingers and the next succeeding lead group is closely approaching fingerI lI". whereupon the latter is again lifted up into interceptingposition. Now, it should also be particularly noted, that themulti-grouping mechanism just described in detail, serves the functionof accurately spacing the groups longitudinally of the band concurrentlyrelative to each other, as may be seen by observing the spacing betweenboth sets of three groups shown in Fig. 30, and between the end set ofgrouped product in the multi-grouping apparatus and the succeeding setjust made up by the counting mechanism, viz., serves to close in thespacing between the groups made up by the counting mech anism.

Staggering of the groups of product is effected by the mechanism asshown in Fig. 30 and 35 and includes a pair of levers I53 and I53pivoted, as seen at I5 5 and I54, said levers having rollers I55 and I55respectively at the lower end thereof adapted to be maintained inconstant rolling contact with the cam I56, as by a spring I57. Theselevers I53 and I53 are provided with multi-station staggering blocks I53and I58 at the upper end thereof. Staggering block I58 is provided witha plurality of faces I55, I59 and I59, while the mating staggering blockI58 is provided with a plurality of matching faces I58, I69 and IE5,note Fig. 30, adapted to move the three groups of product of thernulti-grouping mechanism station into staggering position transeversely relative to the band, as shown by the three groups, in theleaving position, as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 30. Arcuatemovement of levers I53 and I53 with associated staggering blocks I58 andI58 respectively, from the inoperative position shown in Fig. 35 into atop closed position to work on opposite ends of grouped product and toeffect a staggering thereof, is accomplished by lobes Ifii and I5!engaging the rollers I55 and I55. The staggering mechanism is operatedbriefly just as the third or final group I49 assumes its positionadjacent the finger It I. This modified form of counting, grouping anddispersing apparatus of Figs. 30 to 35 inclusive, may be used in lieu ofthe counting, grouping and staggering mechanism of Figs. 19 through 22inclusive.

Loading apparatus The loading apparatus of the unit 53 may be seen bestin Figs. 13'through 18 inclusive, in Fig. 29, plus slight fragmentaryshowings thereof in Figs. 5 through 8 inclusive. This mechanism issupported in a suitable box I62 including side walls I 53 and Hi l. Endwalls I55 and I65 of the box I62 are each provided with three slots, asnoted in Fig. 29, adapted to support stop plates I57, I51 and I5? forvertical movement within the box I52, said stop plates being providedwith slots I63 at the bottom thereof, note Figs. 14, 16 and 17, adaptedto envelope the band 59, and thereby effectively stop groups of productcarried by the band underneath the box I92. Vertical movement of saidstop slides is controlled by the cams I58, I55 and I59" respectivelyupon the shaft I'Ii'i, this shaft in turn being rotated in unison withthe main shaft "I2, as by the sprocket drive Ill, note Figs. 5, l5 and29. This drive is arranged to effect a concurrent one to one rotation ofshafts I19 and I2.

"The oamszaresultably Sha edto sucoessitielv drop the stop :plates :intothe path of incoming roups of roduct and to lift them cl ar of, or abovethe band at a pred te m ned p i t in the cycl of the machine. Fig. 1,for example, discloses lowpoints of cams I69 and 11-69" in en n ementwith the pins H2 and H12! of the ,stop rslides 6 a d 1 he eby op sl de;H m intainse ou a inst moveme t w th the band .50, and wher b the op slde E-l is n loos t ontoastop u t e mo ment he gr up 1 wi t e an hileahighe l be section o e cam I69 is still in engagement withthepin 1.12 ort es p slid 61 toem in ai the l tter: in he rai edm o n the es n lxd snly clear ftthe iderasection he eo ano nt-o n agemen with the ns ep slide7. wher pon a r ims section inwthe am 169 permits it :to quickly move vetica by ere i n o n erce in o ition wi h s e t to the e d a w h i b S ee n X4 a ns r h r vel with, the b mii ri a predetermined length of time.

It willloe understood that inthe operationof the mechanism shown in Fig.18. all the ,plates are normally raised position :and then one plate. for example, the plate 161' dropsldownwa dlygto check the group X, theother plates be? ing raised to clear the group X asit advances withtheloanol. The plate l 61 then drops, stopping the roup ..X--2 and so:forth.

Staggering and, backing mechanism invention provides ;a novel staggeringand back; 1

ine mechanism, including :a bell crank 1:13 :having -a.roller H4 at its:upper end, maintained by aasprine 11:5 in constant engagement with :acam 116 secured to the shaft ill]. At its lower end, said bellgcizank isprovided with ajlink conne ti n ill to a lever l-ll s our d toasecondaryshaft 1:79, "said secondary shaft in turn being m vid d-W th a p ura i yof s a eri and backins-fine is 1 8. 1 8 andwll l adiasent the s opplates, asseen in Me .18- he o erative time of the am l s developed so ht 1 1 5 -..e atedmec ani m:throueh the sha t l I preferab y concurrentlmove all; h ees eeering-and back s fir-lee siro thei etractedlposi io shwn in es; an 5 nto the op ativeqp iti n of File 1 is providedwith innerbacking iaces si ch th f o w a Fisu r bl z slishtlt' dlfi r ntamu e pl eto e ec and in d w he stag at onship f he roups ill .50 Each of saidfingers 180, I80 and i Mea illsb an H80, when. all three fingers aremoved :into the .operative position of Fig, 216, as will be readilyappreciated. Thedesired '=arcuate position is achieved as by a set screwconnection l8! shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The faces lall'a of the fingersare adapted to overlie the upper surfaces of the grou s of product tolimit upward movement thereof, These faces serve very effectively toback up groups of pins as a card 482 noteaFig. 16, is forced intothelgrouped iow i a a r s rtly tobe e cribed.

Pressing Meohanism lower ends to links 1| as and i881, isaid llinkfi inturn being on ecte to the slide 183 seat m9 note Fi .16, and attheirforw rd end to s d walls 1'63 and 1:54 aslby the-stu s "wand -9 01. noteFig- 1e. Thep ssinesl de I83 i p o with a oluitalityroi slots 194, ntefiiszre..ivr ins oivot pin ends o -th fin e s :2 2" and L92", as maybe seen best-in i 3; :endsl'fi- The fin ers I92 i shown ns ct onin Bis-n5 These fingers are normally u zged downwardly, as viewed in Fi 16,4125s rin s lea, ad us ed and backed 'bystnds 11.94, a d "downward ment be nimi ed by- .adius ah e sc ws normally the pressing slide and-fing rsarek l a raised inoperativ position unt l all r up o pins are:mioperlygrouped .by th :s opzs idesmanil also sta ered and backedloathe thank ng fingers, wheneupon cams I 96 andrl 51. .onvs'hsft il'lq.see Figs. )14, lorandals, partioiilarly duringo'o-r tation of shaft:llll engagelinlzs M18 and 11:88; to moverthe slide 1&3 into thealowered-anositlon of Fig: .16, and .therebyipress fingers ;l;92,@l92and 192" into overl in en agement with ithe upner ends of "groupedproduct 1130 move and .advantae geously control open ends of saidgrouped most not when the latter 15110311311 onto "a :Qfllid nr thelike. Retraction of :said pressing :slide and eaLss oiated rpressingfingers from the ladllancedor or teratiize ;position of .Eig. :16 intothe iinopell 'Lwe position ofuEie. 1721s preferably,cefisBBtedponomerently with the lifting of stop gs'lides and :netrao tion of staggeringand. checking lnneers to :their inoperative positions.-

As a safety @pnecaution, I ':pi:o.vide1;a;oam 191. note Figs. '15,i16:and:1l:8; wto concurrently alift all of said step "plates [:61', 151. :and [15:1?" jinto a raised inoperative position and .to 'maintain:the same .in said .raised position even though :the cams I69, 159 and159" would momally allow them otherwise :to .drop, said .cam SE91extends :between the side walls 'andpiMoted-thenein :witha pin 198 whichin turn :has a handle 'zlflfiu'forzmanually rotating :the same. The -cam513.91 operates in a rectangular cutout12min each of the slides ore-stop.plates, :andis adapted :to .engagetmhe :top walls of said cutouts.Thus, when the camglfi'l is moved from the lowered position note Fig. 16in a counter-clockwisedirection to 200, it simultaneously zlifts allthree step :plates an zaprpneciahle "extent and .fully sclear aahonetherbond and groups of product carried by-zthe band. allow iiree passa e:of product to the strippers! onEissiandfl.

Card controlling; .cm amitus A novel hopper a251,! providedzloy ithegpitesent intention to .ystore -;a .large tquantity-sof provd uotholders :such as the card la8.=2;orzthe like fQlollSfi in the machine,:and to facilitate-automatic aremoval. of cards, ;one;,at:a time, ,-fromthe. point 10f storage ;;to :points of loading andexpulsion. fliheshopper 720;] in :its present :prefiemted :fonn, :lin ,oludes a box with:side walls dog-sand 1B2 channels lior longitudinally locating :andislidably supporting :end -plates @203 nnduviluiif rrespectivmly,

said two walls and end plates bein of anonfiguration and 'location toeasily accommodate and golden stack 10f superposed .cards. .iRlates12.03 and 42.03 are secured in said wenticalshan- ,nels. as :by screws204, with-suitameaeloneated slots 205 permitting desired verticalsettininf the end plates with respect to the side walls. To facilitate minuteadjustments of said end p tes :203 "and 1293'. u the lattera eipro io eowith screws 2 1 Wei-lyin the s de, .Thus total arately drop the endplates a few thousandths of an inch. it is merely necessary to loosensaid screws the desired extent, using a feeler gauge underneath thescrews, then loosening the side screws 294 until the end plate dropsinto the lowered position permitted by the adjusting screws, andconversely by rotating the screws in the opposite direction afterloosening the side screws, it is possible to accurately lift the endplates the desired extent. The side walls rest directly upon the topfaces of the rails 2b? and 201', note Fig. 12, at which point they arese-= cured to holding bars 208 and 262 respectively, with the latterthoroughly secured to the rails as by screws 209 fastened throughelongated slots 2I0 and thence threaded into rails 20'! and 201" whileconnection of side walls 202 and 262 to said holding bars is effected byscrews 2!! and 2! l extending through elongated slots 2l2 and 212', insaid bars, note Figs. 9 and 10. This construction provides location ofthe hopper 2m in various positions longitudinally of the rails. Toprevent the hopper from shifting transversely relative to the rails, theend walls are preferably made of just the same width as the spacebetween the rails 26'! and 20?.

A plurality of L-shaped fingers 253, Bit and 2l3, note Figs. 10 and 12,having vertical sections fitting in suitable slots in the wall 2% of thehopper (Figs. 9, 10 and 11) and longitudinal sections extending acrossthe bottom of the hopper (Figs. 9, 10 and 12) serve to prevent cardsfrom dropping out of the bottom of the hopper. These fingers are securedto the rear plate as by screws 214 while elongated slots therein permitrelative vertical fitting of fingers. The 1ongitudinal sections thereofare preferably made long enough to extend under the front end plate 203'and at this point form an outlet opening, as seen at US, Fig. 10 of thedrawing, equivalent to the thickness of one card 82, and thereby providean outlet port for only one card at a time. Accurate setting of thisport is achieved with the screws 2% at the upper end of rear and frontplates in the manner hereinbefore described.

Signal In order to apprise the operator when the stack of cards in thehopper is getting low, the present invention provides a relativelysimple signal including'a spring arm 2H3 mounted upon and insulated fromthe side wall 282 upon insulation block 211. This spring arm has onefinger 2H3 extending within the hopper through the opening 2l8 to engagesides of cards within the hopper when said stack of cards is ofsufiicient height to reach same and thereby concurrently push thisfinger and the associated secondary finger 2l6 on the spring arm 2l6 tothe left, as viewed in Fig. 12, until the secondary finger is entirelyfree from contact with the side wall 232, thereby breaking electricalcontact. However, when the stack of cards falls below the level of thelowermost section of the finger 216, it-allows the latter to move to theright, as viewed in Fig. 12, until the finger 2H5" engages the side wall202, thereby completing an electric circuit to an audible signal 219and/or visible signal 2H3, as diagrammatically illustrated by the wiringin Fig.

10 of the drawing.

Card controlling mechanism 12 at a time from the hopper, transportingsaid one card from the hopper to an intermediate loading position belowthe grouping mechanism, and thereafter to an ejecting position, seeFigs. 5 and 29. This mechanism in its present preferred form, includes amain slide 220 of generally H- shape, having sides 22! and 222, noteFig. '7, with a central and integral connecting web 223 adapted topivotally support a pair of shafts 224 and 225 and to confine a pair ofeccentrics 226 and 221 and gears 228 and 229 against lateral movement,as viewed in Figs. 5 and '7. Said pair of gears are meshed with a rack230 to be rotated with the shaft and eccentrics thereon when the rack isreciprocated to the right and thence to the left, as viewed in Figs. 5and 6. These eccentrics serve to provide a four point support for a mainplaten 23! and serve, as shown in Fig. 5, to move said platen from thelowermost position at the right hand side to the intermediate positionat the left hand side and thence into a fully raised position showncentrally of Fig. 5. The position shown centrally of Fig. 5 is theshowing of the machine in the particular cycle of operation of the shaft12. and right of the slide 220 of Fig. 5 are also shown in full linesfor clarity of the illustration, but these positions in reality would bedotted line positions of the parts. Side plates 232 secured to the mainplaten 23! as by screws and studs 233 and 234 respectively, andextending into channels 235 in the side walls 22l and 222, serve toprevent lateral or longitudinal misalinementof the platen relative tothe main slide. This alinement is supplemented by studs 236 extendedfrom main platen 23I downwardly through suitable apertures in the web223 and screwed at the lower end into a pair of longitudinally extendingplates 23?, see Figs. 6 and 8 particularly. This latter pair of platesproject from the web and underlie the eccentrics, thereby serving topull the main platen downwardly when the high section of the eccentricis moved from the'middle position to the right hand position shown inFig. 5. The

' rack 230 is connected to a backing member 238 as by screws 239 and thelatter in turn is connected to a pusher block 240 as by studs 24L thelatter being accomplished first, this pusher block in turn having a pinconnection 242 with a large drive lever 243 that has a pivoted andsliding connection 244 at its lower end to part of the main frame, asseen in Fig. 5. A block 245 is slidably mounted on the lever 243 with arectangular slot,

and the block 245 has a pivotal connection as at 246, on an eccentricplate 247, secured to the outer end of the main shaft 72. This drivelever is such that the pivot 246 on the eccentric plate through thesliding block 245 serves to oscillate the lever 243 to and from the dotand dash positions of the lever 243, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

Now it should be particularly noted that the present invention in itspreferred form provides details in this mechanism for advantageouslymoving said platen into various vertical levels and to stop the mainslide and platen in divers positions longitudinally of the rails whilesaid lifting and lowering of the main platen occurs. This mechanismincludes the provision of a key 248 (Fig. 7) preferably extendingsubstantially throughout the full length of the rail 201' and backed bya plurality of springs 249, longitudinal shifting of the key 248 beingprevented by a plu- 'rality of studs 250 having free axial slidingmovement in the rail 20'! and having a threaded connection in the key248. A secondary function of The positions at the left this key is toprevent the driving connection from lifting the main slide and itsassociated parts vertically within the rails and to maintain said mainslide and associated parts in close sliding association with the underor supporting sections 25! and 25! of the rails 261 and 201'. Saidsprings 249 yieldingly push the key 248 against the main slide 220 andthereby maintain the latter in de sired frictional association with therail for pur poses about to be described.

The rack 235 is maintained in proper horizontal association with gears228 and 229 as by straps 252 and 252 joining the side walls and securedthereto, note Figs. 6 and 7. Thus the bottom Wall of the backing member236 is free to slide horizontally over the top faces of said straps 252and 252, thereby maintaining rack teeth in proper pitch engagement withthe gears.

Turning of the eccentrics 226 and 22? and concurrent lifting andlowering of the main platen 23! into divers predetermined positions andat predetermined points in the travel of the main slide 225 along therails 22'! and 22'! is accomplished through the provision of a rear stud253 and a front stud 254 on the rack 236 adapted to engage thecross-straps 252 and 252 respectively, and through the provision of aroller type detent 255 also adapted to engage the cross-straps 252 and252'. Operation of these various elements is effected in cooperationwith a spring pressingkey 248 against the slide 226 in order to causethe side wall of the slide to have a continuous frictional sliding litwith side wall 222. The roller type detent 255 includes an inverted U-shaped yoke (Figs. 6, 'l and 8) having vertically sliding fit on aprojection 256 at the rear end of the block 245 and retained upon thelatter by the plate 25'! and screws 252, note Fig.- '7. This yoke isprovided with integral projections 255 rotatably supporting a pair ofrollers 266 which are held in place thereon by cotter pins. The yoke isnormally urged upwardly by a spring 26! socketed in the projection andunderlying the central section of the yoke sufficiently to bring therollers 250 into contact with the bottom faces of the rails 262 andthereby permitting the top projection 263 on the yoke to engage againstthe rear face of the cross-strap 252 to push the entire slide and platenmachanism during a predetermined cycle of the machine. The release ofthis detent, namely, movement of the projection 263 below and out ofregistry with the cross-strap 252, is effected by rollers 26!! engagingsaid rails 262, Figs. 5, 6 and 7, which serve to move the detent 255downwardly until the projection 263 is entirely clear of the cross-strap252 (as the slide is being moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 6, andto the right of Fig.

General operation of mechanism is as follows:

During movement of the complete slide 226 and platen 23! from theejecting position at the right hand side, Fig. 5, the stud 254 of therack 235 engages the cross-strap 252', whereupon the arm 243 as it isrotated by the eccentric 24! serves to pull the slide and platenrearwardly. Throughout this travel from the ejectin position to the cardpick up position, eccentrics 226 and 22l, gears 228 and 229, and rack232 are conditioned or positioned to maintain the platen in itslowermost position. However, after the slide has been moved to itsextreme rearmost position by the stud 254 and arm 243 and the arm beginsto move in a clockwise direction about its pivot, connection to blockwill cause the rack the card controlling '14 to be moved slightly to theright (Fig. 5) while the slide is frictionally held by a spring pressedkey 248 until the stud 254 is moved away from the cross-strap 252' anduntil the projection 263 of the detent 255 engages the cross-strap 252.During this slight movement of the rack, the gears 228 and 229 arerotated in a counter-clockwise direction approximately ninety degrees tomove the lowest sections of the eccentrics out of registry with theunder side of the main platen and to concurrently move the graduallyincreasing higher section of the eccentrics approximately half wayaround. The four eccentrics are each simultaneously moved an exactextent so that an even lifting of all four corners of the main platen isachieved. Further, a very accurate control of the lift of saideccentrics is achieved by reason of the abrupt and positive engagementof the projection 263 with the cross-strap 252. It should be noted thatthe slide and platen are stationary longitudinally of the rails whilethe gears and eccentrics are rotated ninety degrees and while the mainplaten is being lifted to the intermediate condition shown at the leftof Fig. 5. When the platen 23! is in the lowermost condition (positionat right in Fig. 5) platen 23! is entirely clear of the product beingaccumulated in the carding mechanism when it reaches this middlestation, and entirely clear of the lowermost card in the hopper as itsweeps rearwardly under the hopper to the rearmost position. However, asthe platen is lifted into the intermediate condition by the eccentrics,the top face of the platen comes into engagement with the lower face ofthe bottom card I82 in the hopper and pusher edges 23 l on the platenare slightly to the rear of the rear edge of the card. Slots 264, noteFig. 12, in the top of the main platen 23! clear the three fingers 2l3,2l3' and M3" of the hopper when the main platen is lifted into theintermediate condition. cross-strap 252 and begins to move the mainslide 222 and platen 23! tothe right, as viewed in Fig. 5, pusher edges22! push the lowermost card from the bottom of the stack of cards in thehopper through the port 2! 5, note Fig. 10,- toward the carding station.As the slide and platen move into the latter position, the rollers 266ride downwardly on the rails 262 to pull the projection 263 out ofregistry with the crossstrap 252 and as the projection 253 becomes freeof the cross-strap 252, spring pressed key 248' ing condition. When therack, gears and eccentries reach this position, under'impetus of theecmaintained against longitudinalshifting by keys.

After the dentent 255 engages the

